Building-block.



H. A. ULLRICH. BUILDING BLOCK. APPLIOATION FILED 1 1113.13, 1909.

1&1 1,283.. Patented Dec. 12, 1911.

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9 I 7 a8 CL 2,6 669 UNITED STATES PATENT UFlfiE.

EDWARD A. ULLRICH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BUILDING-BLOCK.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD A. ULLRIoH, a citizen of the United.States, and residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Building-Blocks, of which the following is a complete specification.

This invention relates to improvements in building blocks and more particularly to a building block so constructed that laterally adjacent blocks break joints or interlock in the wall and form a stable structure.

Heretofore building blocks have sometimes been so constructed that laterally disposed blocks do not interlock or overlap each other, and the strength of the union between them depends entirely upon the intervening bond of cement. Furthermore such building blocks form a wall of massive appearance because of the relatively large, unbroken surface which they present, and it has not been possible when using such blocks of large size to simulate a brick wall in which the courses appear to break joints with regularity.

The main objects of this invention are, first, to provide a building block so constructed that adjacent blocks of the same course partiallyoverlap or interlock with each other, and the wall faces of which simulate a brick structure with courses of uniform size bricks.

A second object of the invention is to provide a building block whose hei ht varies regularly at regular intervals tiroughout its length to produce the effect of a plurality of fragmentary courses of bricks, which increase in length from the top to the bottom of the block or vice versa.

A third object of the invention is to provide a building block of cheap and simple construction, and having air spaces therein so arranged that those of adjacent blocks are in communication with each other.

The invention consists of the matters hereinafter described in the specification and more fully pointed out and defined in the appended claims. i

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a wall constructed of building,

blocks embodying my invention and showing the air spaces in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the blocks. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the block.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 13, 1909.

Patented Dec. 12, 19111.

Serial No. 477,653.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation thereof. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a corner block embodying my invention. Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the block showing one form of tuck pointing. Fig. 7 is a similar view but showing a different form of tuck pointing.

As shown in said drawings: Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, A indicates one form of block embodying my invention and which is adapted to be laid in all portions of the wall where special forms are not required for corners, angles, etc. Said block as shown, comprises a long side a and a short side a, 'and at its ends is provided with ledges or shoulders a which are arranged at regular intervals from the end of the block and are regular in height. Any desired number of said ledges may be provided and their upper or lower faces are parallel with the long and short sides of the block, and their ends at right angles thereto. The outer face a of said block is provided with a plurality of longitudinal and transverse grooves indicated respectively by a and a and which divide said face into spaces the size of ordinary bricks, and are so arranged as to give the appearance of courses of bricks laid with their end joints staggering. Said longitudinal grooves coincide with the upper faces of said ledges and are projected in the same planes. The block thus constructed has the appearance of being formed of a plurality of courses of bricks varying regularly in length from the top of the block to the bottom thereof. Air spaces a open through the upper and lower sides of said block and are separated by a central partition (1. Said partition is provided at its top and bottom with air channels (1. which connect said spaces, and the long side a of the block is provided at each end with an air channel a extending from the end to the adjacent air space a. -The air spaces in adjacent blocks in the same course and in adjacent courses are in communication with each other.

If desired the grooves a and a may have molded therein, while the block is being molded, cement (1 of a different color than that of the block so as to produce the effect of tuck pointing, as shown in Fig. 6, which cement (7,10 only partially fills the grooves, or if preferred instead of said grooves a head a of different colored cement may be inlaid in the side thereof and project therefrom to indicate the joints, as shown in Fig. 7.

When it is desired to provide a reinforced concrete block, a sheet of reticulated metal a may be embedded in the long side of said block so as to strengthen the end ledges, as shown in Fig. 3, and said sheet may be cut away at points registering with the air spaces a so as to leave said spaces unobstructed. In laying a wall of said blocks alternating ones in the course are laid reverse side up so that the ledges of each may overlap those of the next adjoining. In this 1 manner an interlocking joint is provided which will permit the blocks to be laid Without displacing the cement. The joints between the blocks may then be tuck pointed to correspond to the tuck pointing in the outer face of the block.

Obviously a building block constructed in accordance with this invention is adapted to be laid with rapidity and to produce a wall having the general appearance of a brick wall.

Obviously also many details of form and construction may be varied without departing from the principles of this invention.

I claim as my invention:

A building block provided with a plurality. of end ledges at regular intervals from the end thereof, an air space extending vertically through said block and opening at one end through a plurality of said ledges, and a channel extending from the other end of said space to the end of the block.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

HOWARD A. ULLRICH.

lVitnesses:

W. WV. WITHENBURY,

MATIE \Vrrnnxnmn: 

